Save on 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Insurance Rates

Looking for the cheapest insurance coverage rates for your Dodge Grand Caravan? Are you burned out from not being able to scrape enough together to pay insurance coverage each month? You’re in the same situation as most other consumers.

Consumers have many car insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and even though it’s nice to have multiple companies, more choices can make it harder to compare rates and cut insurance costs.

Cheaper insurance coverage rates with discounts

Some companies don’t list every policy discount in an easy-to-find place, so the next list breaks down some of the best known and also the more inconspicuous credits available to bring down your rates.

• Driver’s Ed – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers take driver’s ed class as it can save substantially.
• Accident Forgiveness Coverage – Not really a discount, but certain companies may permit one accident before hitting you with a surcharge with the catch being you have to be claim-free before the accident.
• New Vehicle Savings – Buying a new car instead of a used car can save you some money compared to insuring an older model.
• Home Ownership Discount – Owning your own home or condo can get you a discount since home ownership demonstrates responsibility.
• Discount for Life Insurance – If the company offers life insurance, you could get a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
• Bundled Policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you could save approximately 10% to 15%.
• Good Student – Being a good student may save you up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students up until you turn 25.

Policy discounts save money, but some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, it’s just not the way it works.

A few companies that may offer some of the discounts shown above include:

• Progressive
• The Hartford
• Mercury Insurance
• Geico
• AAA
• State Farm

Double check with each company which discounts they offer. Some credits might not be offered on policies in your area. To view insurance companies that provide some of the discounts listed above, follow this link.

Smart consumers can lower insurance rates

Many different elements are considered when pricing auto insurance. Some are pretty understandable such as your driving history, but other criteria are less obvious such as your credit history or your vehicle rating.The best way to find cheaper insurance coverage is to take a look at the factors that help determine the price you pay for insurance coverage. If you know what influences your rates, this enables you to make decisions that may reward you with big savings.

The factors shown below are most of the major factors used by insurance companies to determine premiums.

• If you don’t need it don’t buy it – Policies have additional coverages that may not really be needed if you don’t pay attention. Coverage for things like rental car coverage, accidental death, and term life insurance are examples of these. They may sound like good ideas when talking to your agent, but if they’re wasting money get rid of them and save.
• Pay less with a high crash test rating – Vehicles with high crash test scores are cheaper to insure. Vehicles engineered for safety help reduce the chance of injuries in an accident and lower rates of occupant injuries means less money paid by your insurance company which can result in lower premiums. If the Dodge Grand Caravan scored better than four stars on Safercar.gov it may cost less to insure.
• Insurance companies don’t like frequent insurance coverage claims – Car insurance companies generally give better rates to policyholders that do not abuse their auto insurance. If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee increased rates or even have your policy non-renewed. Auto insurance is designed for more catestrophic claims.
• Advanced alarm systems – Purchasing a vehicle with advanced anti-theft systems can save you some money. Systems that thwart theives such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system can thwart auto theft and help lower rates.
• Your stress level may be raising your insurance coverage rates – Do you have a high-stress occupation? Careers such as military personnel, architects and dentists are shown to have higher premium rates because of high stress levels and long work hours. On the other hand, careers such as scientists, historians and homemakers get better rates for Grand Caravan insurance.
• City dwellers may pay more – Choosing to live in areas with lower population is a good thing when it comes to insurance coverage. Fewer people translates into fewer accident claims and a lower car theft rate. People in densly populated areas have traffic congestion and longer commutes to work. Spending more time driving means more chances of being involved in an auto accident.

Tailor your insurance coverage to you

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s needs are different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions can help discover whether your personal situation could use an agent’s help.

• When can I cancel my policy?
• How much liability insurance is required?
• Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
• How much can I save by bundling my policies?
• How does medical payments coverage work?
• Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
• Should I get collision insurance on every vehicle?
• If my 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
• Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in my state?
• I have health insurance so do I need medical payments coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Big names are not always cheapest

Well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Allstate constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. All the ads advertise the message that you can save if you move your insurance coverage to their company. It sounds good, but how can they all charge less that you’re paying now? It’s all in the numbers.

All companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of customer that will generate a profit. For instance, a desirable risk could be between the ages of 30 and 50, carries high limits, and has a short commute. Anybody who matches that profile gets the lowest premium rates as well as save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential customers who fall short of the ideal profile will be charged higher rates which results in business not being written. The ad wording is “customers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. That’s the way companies can truthfully make those statements. Each company has different criteria, so you really should compare quotes as often as possible. Because you never know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

Insurance coverages 101

Knowing the specifics of insurance helps when choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Shown next are typical coverages available from insurance companies.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as fire damage, damage from getting keyed, falling objects, a broken windshield and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The highest amount your insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Liability auto insurance

This provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to other people or property. It protects you from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show policy limits of 100/300/100 which stand for a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability insurance covers claims such as medical expenses, structural damage, court costs and repair costs for stationary objects. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying higher limits if possible.

Collision coverage protection

Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision can pay for things such as hitting a mailbox, crashing into a building and backing into a parked car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for immediate expenses for chiropractic care, funeral costs, prosthetic devices and surgery. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and damage to your Dodge Grand Caravan.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.

Final considerations

When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best possible price while still protecting your assets.

Budget-conscious 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan insurance is available from both online companies and from local agencies, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies may not offer online rate quotes and usually these small insurance companies sell through local independent agents.

To read more, feel free to visit these articles:

• Teen Driving Statistics (iihs.org)
• Five Mistakes to Avoid (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Tread Depth and Tire Safety (State Farm)
• Child Safety FAQ (iihs.org)
• Rental Car Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Insitute)